Advantages
- High-resolution spectral detection without moving parts
- Compact, USB-powered design with no cooling required
- Efficient low-light performance for Raman trace-gas sensing
Summary
High-resolution, wide-range spectrometers are vital for applications such as trace-gas detection, Raman spectroscopy, and environmental monitoring. However, conventional Czerny-Turner spectrometers are bulky, require thermoelectric cooling, and consume high power, making them unsuitable for portable or low-light scenarios. Existing compact alternatives often sacrifice either resolution or sensitivity, limiting their utility in real-world, mobile deployments.
This novel low-noise optical spectrometer solves those limitations with a compact, 1.3-liter design using a fast F0.95/50mm camera lens for both collimation and focusing. It delivers 1.2 cm⁻¹ resolution across 3800 cm⁻¹ spectral range without moving parts or active cooling, operating entirely via USB. Built with commercially available components, it achieves >50% detection efficiency in the green spectrum and detects signals as low as 10³ photons/sec. Practical tests confirmed its high sensitivity and resolution through successful Raman analysis of ambient air, identification of atomic lines (Ne, Ar), and atmospheric solar absorption features improving its strength in portable, high-performance spectroscopy.
Detailed schematic of bidirectional lens diffraction grating spectrometer.
Desired Partnerships
- License
- Sponsored Research
- Co-Development